Mason - ? - RE: Frank Scoblete

[Stew]

Was looking through my library and noticed I had purchased a Blackjack book of his, "Best Blackjack". I looked in GTOT and it wasn't reviewed there. Any thoughts on this book or the author?


Also, in GTOT you recommend Zen Count as the best count, do you still feel this way? I'm a very novice blackjack player when it comes to counting cards. How much better is the Zen Count than High-Opt I. Which is easier for a novice?

I'm going to Vegas in a couple of weeks and may get in a handful of hours playing BJ at low limits. Is it even worth learning a count? I know perfect basic strategy, should I just stick with that?

Finally, if you think I should learn a count, what book would you recommend?

[lunchmeat]

I'd be very careful with anything that has Scoblete's name attached to it. He's put out books with crazy systems that he claims will overcome the house edge in all kinds of casino games. IMO, system-peddlers like Scoblete are nothing more than con-men duping a gullible public. I'm surprised bookstores even carry his work.

[Elizabeth-Anne]

Use either the Zen Count or Stanford Wong's Hi-Lo count.

The Hi-Lo Count is easier to use and the player edge is almost as high as Zen Count.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Stew:

I've met Frank Scoblete and he actually seemed like a likeable guy. Furthermore, he seems to be making an effort for his books not to be bizarre anymore and to contain reasonable information. But in any case, I would certainly get my advice elsewhere.

I also would recommend that you learn the high-low count.

Best wishes,
mason

[Lost Wages]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm going to Vegas in a couple of weeks and may get in a handful of hours playing BJ at low limits. Is it even worth learning a count? I know perfect basic strategy, should I just stick with that?


[/ QUOTE ]

Stew,

Since you will only be playing for a short time, I would reccomend that you just use basic strategy for playing desicions and use a simple (Level I) count for bet sizing. Any recognized count will suffice, High-Opt I is fine. If you are motivated, keep a side count of the aces. The mental effort of learing all of the strategy variations is just not worth it for the occasional player. Much more important is seeking out the most favorable game and being able to use a large betting spread.

Lost Wages

[Stew]

Great, thanks for the reply and information, I noticed today he has a quote of yours in the back of his book, among a bunch of quotes from various people.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Stew:

I'm curious as to what the quote is and in which book it appears.

best wishes,
Mason

[Jim Easton]

[ QUOTE ]
Is it even worth learning a count?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably not, as it does take some time to learn a counting system (go for Wong's hi-lo or Hi-Opt I). Remember, Vegas casinos do not like counters (there are still people that think it is cheating).
[ QUOTE ]
I know perfect basic strategy, should I just stick with that?


[/ QUOTE ]

If you are only playing a few hours, that would probably be fine. Be sure to look into a player's card where you play so you can earn comps.

[Stew]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Stew:

I'm curious as to what the quote is and in which book it appears.

best wishes,
Mason

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Mason,

The book is titled, Best Blackjack by Frank Scoblete, Copywright 1996 by Bonus Books, Inc.

The quote in question appears on Page 244 in Chapter 24 of the book. The chapter is titled, The Last Word: The Voices of the Blackjack Kingdom.

"There are too many examples in the literature of the well-dressed blackjack player who walks into a casino, plays for a few minutes, varies his bet as appropriate, and leaves $400 or $500 ahead. Unfortunately, things don't work this way. To win at blackjack, one needs not only to count, but to play the hands correctly as well. This includes properly taking advantage of the player options of doubling down, splitting and insurance. The point is that when these options are executed, the player is putting extra money on the table, and that extra money, along with the bonus payment for holding blackjack, contributes to becoming a winner...But walking into a casino with the plan of playing for 20 minutes and walking away a big winner is totally unrealistic."
- Mason Malmuth, Blackjack Essays

This chapter is full of quotes from various people including yourself, Arnold Snyder, Anthony Curtis, Stanford Wong, Peter Griffin, Bryce Carson, Max Rubin, Dustin Marks, Lawrence Revere, Lance Humble, Carl Cooper and various blackjack dealers and players.

Additionally, I noticed that he recommends your book, Blackjack Essays, in Chapter 23 of the recommended books and magazines section of the book. About 15 books are recommended including yours, David Sklansky's Getting the Best of it, 3 Arnold Snyder books, Stanford Wong's Professional Blackjack, Blackjack For Blood by Bryce Carlson The Theory of Blackjack by Peter Griffin and a few others.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

TS

[Jezebel]

Stew, for the recreational counter, I would suggest using the Knock Out (KO) count system. It is an unbalanced level 1 count the eliminates the need to convert a running count to a true count. Also, they provide a simplified version of strategic plays that correspond to the "illustrious 18" that are a snap to remember. Unless you have time to put in some serious practice on some of the more complex systems to eek out a tiny bit more advantage, I would subscribe to the KISS theory. Computer simulations performed by the authors of KO, have shown that their system yields the same edge as most of the other more complicated systems. (Note: some prominent counters have questioned these findings). Regardless, the KO is an excellent system for a casual or pro counter, in my opinion.